Developing a Structural Model of Driving Behaviors on the Basis of Sensation Seeking Mediated by Emotion Regulation

Humans always adopt behaviors in all situations of life that can have very different results. Researchers in the field of high-risk driving behaviors have investigated the role of emotions prevalence rate as well as the root causes and factors related to this important issue. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a structural model of driving behaviors on the basis of sensation seeking mediated by emotion regulation.

This research was applied in terms of purpose and descriptive-correlational in terms of quantitative methods of data collection. The statistical population of this study includes 917 drivers from Tehran, West Azerbaijan and Kurdistan provinces who were selected and evaluated by cluster sampling method. Data collection tools were Manchester (1990) driving behavior questionnaire, Arnett sensation seeking questionnaire (1992) and Grass and John (1998) emotion regulation.

The results of the analysis of structural equation showed that the measurement models of the studied variables and the final model of the research had a good fit. Excitement also had a direct effect on driving behavior in drivers. The emotion regulation variable was able to mediate between sensation seeking and driving behavior.

The structure of emotion regulation can be used to explain the relationship between sensation seeking and driving behaviors. It is suggested that in order to improve the driving situation and reduce the number of accidents, the criteria and rules for obtaining a driver's license should be reviewed in accordance with the topics of emotional behaviors.